Electric switch



(No Model.)

0. WIRT.

BLBGTRIG SWITCH.

No. 460,618. Patented 0013.6, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

CHARLES VVIRT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY COMPANY, OF ILLINOIS.

' ELECTRIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 460,618, dated October 6, 1891.

Application filed January 10, 1891. Serial No. 337,335. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, CHARLES WVIRT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Incandescent Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to circuit-breakers, and has for its object to provide a convenient circuit-breaker, particularly such as is adapted for use in connection with incandescent lamps and the like.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a plan View of the same with the cap or cover removed. Fig. 2 is a sectional view.-

Like parts are indicated by the same letters in both figures.

A A are conductors which lead to the circuit-breaker, and each passes through an aperture in blocks 13 B, being secured firmlyin contact by the screws C C. The blocks B B are provided each with a curved face D D, the curvature thereof being concentric with the rotating portion of the circuit-breaker. Each of these blocks is firmly secured by means of screws E E to the insulation-body F of the circuit-breaker.

G G are somewhat similar blocks disposed substantially on a line at right angles to the line through the center of the blocksBB, and provided each with a cam or eccentric face H H. These blocks are in like manner secured to the insulation F. Each of these blocks is insulated from the others. Concentric with the curved surfaces D D is pivoted the metallic drum J on the shaft K, to which is removably secured the insulated handle L,

. and on the exterior of the drum and at opposite sides thereof are secured the springs M M, adapted to engage and slide upon the surfaces D D and H H.

N is an exterior cap which covers the outward portions of the device. The central rotating drum and shaft are insulated from all of the blocks except when the springs are in contact therewith.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows: The springs in the position shown in Fig. 1 engage the faces H H on the blocks G G; but if the drum be rotated by means of the handle L in the direction indicated by the arrows and the rotation be continued for a sufficient distance it is obvious that the ends of the springs M M will ultimately reach the ends of the cam or eccentric faces H H, and will drop therefrom against the faces D D of the blocks B B. The construction of these faces and the springs is such that the springs are in contact with the faces throughout their entire opposed surface at any given time, thus making a very perfect and extensive and rubbing contact. In the position now indicated it is clear that the circuit is closed, so as to connect the conductors A A with the lamp or other translating device in the circuit, if the same is in series with this circuit-breaker. It Will now be obvious that the device cannot be turned in the opposite direction, for the ends of the springs M M will in that event engage the projecting surfaces or ends of the block G G; but if this direct rotation be continued there will come a time when the ends of the springs M M will drop from contact with the faces D D and will reengage the faces H H. When this action takes place, it is apparent that inasmuch as the curved faces H H are eccentric with reference to the axis of rotation, while the faces D D are concentric with reference thereto, the ends of the springs M M will be required to pass through a considerable interval before they engage the faces H H, and hence the chance of arcing over is obviated.

It is quite apparent that my device could be greatly changedin its construction and use and mode of operation without departing from the spirit of my invention.

The contact-blocks G G could of course be dispensed with, and the surface of the insulated body itself be employed, if desired. I

call these two blocks the idle-blocks, and the blocks B B,I call the circuit-making blocks.

I claim Y 1. In a circuit-breaker, the combination of a central rotating portion with extended spring-arms, contacts having faces concentric with such rotating part, and similar contacts having faces eccentric with reference to the a central rotating portion with extended I5 spring-arn'is, contacts having faces concentric with such rotating part, and other insulated faces eccentric with reference to the center of such rotating part and having faces opposed to such arms, the eccentric surface of said faces approaching at one end nearer to and at the other end departing farther from the axis of the rotating part than the concentric surface.

CHARLES WIR'l.

\Vitnesses:

CELESTE P. CHAPMAN, HARRIET M. DAY. 

